What You Don't Know About Amish Women and Quilting Might Shock You!Did you know that the Amish women have to turn their back on anything "modern"? This is due to the Amish culture in which they are living. Because of that, if they decided to go to another Amish community, they might have needed to pack away or sell their quilts made in their current Amish community. You see, each community has its own community approval as to how quilts are made. So what is acceptable in one community may not work in another. Amish Quilt Patterns Were Late Arriving on The Quilting SceneWhen the Amish women first arrived from their old countries, they used the same old German featherbeds and coverlets. They didn't take to piecing their quilts until the 1870's. This is why you don't see Amish quilt patterns or quilts before that date.When they started their quilting it was usually done on a whole cloth and in very dark colors; brown, blue, rust and black. Sometimes they used worsted wool, but the hand quilting was beautiful. These women were able to express themselves by creating beautiful quilting designs on their quilts. They used, curves, grids and swirling feathers. Their workmanship really showed off the quilt and they were beautiful works of art. Colors gradually moved into pumpkin, olive green and dark red. As the general population moved into Victorian crazy quilts the Amish women moved to piecing basic blocks. Always staying behind current trends. Still turning their backs on anything "modern" and they used only solid colors. They used cotton or wool, but silks were considered too "modern" and were not used. Amish Women and Machine QuiltingMany people believe that the Amish culture wouldn't use any sort of machinery. This isn't quite true. Amish women used a treadle sewing machine (not really machinery - or is it?) to piece their block, but their quilting was always done by hand.After making the quilt top, the women gathered to quilt the top. This became a traditional task and this had great influence on Amish quilting patterns and quilting in general. What Happened to the Amish Culture During World War II?World War II brought about many changes in the world and the Amish culture was affected like everyone else. Natural fibers became impossible to get since they were all being rationed and required by the War effort.The Amish women had to adapt like everyone else and they had to use synthetic fibers also. By the 1940's colored fabrics were being introduced into Amish 
quilt patterns and more complex designs were being created. Very rarely was any printed fabric used. And the intricate hand quilting had become less detailed.
Amish Quilting TodayOur country's bicentennial in 1976 created an interest in our country's past and we discovered the Amish people, their culture and their beautiful Amish quilts. These quilts became so popluar that the women started creating them to be sold.Even though many quilts are produced to be sold, the women still make their own quilts for weddings, babies, friendship and fund raising. Most quilt making is done in the winter, in the mild months the community is helping with the gardening, and other farming chores. Most of the quilting is done by the older women who children are already grown. Amish quilting patterns and Amish women are an inspiration still today. Check out some of the amazing Amish quilting pattern books available. They are beautiful. To Return to History of Quilting click here.
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